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Heather and Silla eyed each other even more curiously before they embraced. “I’m so glad to meet another mekarry,” Heather gushed.
“Me too,” Silla agreed, and the two of them laughed sillily with each other.
Garth and I exchanged a good-natured look, merrilies, it seemed to say.
“Have you heard from Xandros?” Garth asked. “I’ve been trying to contact him for weeks.”
“I’m glad I’m not the only one whose calls he’s avoiding.” I grinned. “He’s still by Earth, saving as many humans as possible,” I explained. “I need him back and he knows it.”
“Ah, that explains it.” Garth nodded and we exchanged another knowing glance, one I only understood now. Before, I had been irritated with Xandros for avoiding me, for not returning and taking care of his responsibilities, but now that I had found my mekarry too, I understood his reluctance to leave Ashley behind. Even the idea I had suggested to him before, of taking Ashley back to his ship by force and coming home, seemed preposterous to me now. How could I have suggested that? I would never force Heather into anything.
I sighed because now I understood, and another dreadful possibility entered my mind.
“I worry he will resign to stay with Ashley,” I voiced my deepest concern.
“Ashley won’t leave Earth, not as long as there is fighting to be done,” Silla added, fueling my apprehension.
“Don’t look so glum. It’s all destiny, it’ll work itself out.” Garth slapped me encouragingly on the shoulder.
Vra, I took heart from his words, it was what I had needed to hear. Garth’s faith was deeper than mine; he was one of the protectors of our old ways. In times like this, I needed that strength around me.
“What brought you here? Surely not the worry about Xandros.” I changed the subject and directed our guests to the table, where servants hastily added more plates and glasses.
“Nocc, we brought more humans who expressed their desires to find mates among the more civilized Pandraxians, as they call it,” Garth explained.
Heather’s face heated. Once upon a time she had come for the same reason. “They get to choose?” she asked, confusing me.
“Of course.” Silla nodded emphatically.
“You sound like you didn’t get a choice in this.” I threw a concerned glance at my mekarry.
“I didn’t,” Heather said. “I was told this is where I was assigned to.”
“I’m sorry.” Silla reached out over the table and patted Heather’s hand. “There was a lot of chaos in the beginning, but we have it all worked out now.”
“Good.” She turned to me. “May I… is there a way I can help those people?”
Pride filled me. Even after her ordeal, when she should have rested for a few days, all she wanted was to help others. She truly would make a perfect empress.
“I’m sure we can figure out a better program,” I agreed.
Silla looked surprised. “What’s wrong with the old program?”
“Oh”—Heather laughed nervously—“let’s just say some of the women who take humans in see it more as a competition for them to find partners as quickly as possible than truly wanting to find a mekarry bond.”
“I’m sure there is a story there,” Silla observed.
“If you stay for a bit, I will tell you,” Heather agreed.
“Which is my cue,” I said, rising. “I have to attend an interrogation.” At Garth’s questioning look I waved my hand. “I’ll fill you in later, I promise. Heather, I understand if you would rather stay here with Lady Silla and—”
Abruptly she stood. “The hell I will.”
I smirked. That’s my merrily.
“We have some things to attend to anyway.” Garth rose as well.
“Nonsense. Stay, eat, we’ll be back soon,” I assured him.
